Tom James
The Tribune-Star
INDIANAPOLIS —
Goodbye Rose-Hulman and Terre Haute. Hello Anderson University.
The Indianapolis Colts have decided to return to the franchise’s roots by moving training camp back to its original Indiana site at Anderson.
“We are pleased to announce a return to Anderson University for the 2010 training camp. The university and the city of Anderson always have held a passion for the Colts, and we are happy to return to the area,” Colts president Bill Polian said in a statement issued by the team Wednesday night.
The decision ended a relationship between Rose-Hulman and the Colts that saw the east side school host 11 training camps from 1999 to 2009.
“The Colts are a great organization as is Rose-Hulman. We have sincerely enjoyed our 11-year relationship with the Colts and our role in the many contributions the training camp has made to the Terre Haute community,” Rose-Hulman president Matt Branam said in a prepared statement issued by the school Wednesday night.
No terms of the deal between the Colts and Anderson University have been made public. No details as far as to what extent the Colts negotiated with Rose-Hulman have been commented upon by either the Colts or Rose-Hulman.
“From a purely Rose-Hulman campus perspective we have not viewed this as a money-making activity, but rather an activity that benefits the larger Terre Haute community of which we are an active and integral part while keeping it budget neutral to the campus and our students,” Branam said. “Both the Colts and Rose-Hulman have achieved much success during the past 11 years, and we wish them the best of luck in their next season and beyond.”
A 10 a.m. press conference has been scheduled today in Anderson at the Ruth Lilly Pavilion in the Kardatzke Wellness Center on the Anderson University campus. Polian, along with school representatives and area governmental leaders, are scheduled to attend.
Speakers will include Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University; Kris Okomon, Mayor of the City of Anderson; and Art Pepelea, Councilman for the City of Anderson.
“We know this has been a successful summer home for our organization for many years, and we are excited to return. We know people are aware that training camp provides the best possible chance to get close proximity to a team, and we want people to use that opportunity.”
Now that a decision on where the camp has finally been made, second-year head coach Jim Caldwell is ready to move on.
“All of us look forward to getting camp under way in Anderson later this summer,” Caldwell said. “Training camp is such a pivotal time for any club as you try to put some finishing touches on your team. It is a time of building, bonding and honing, and we know the university and the city leaders will provide us with the best possible atmosphere to succeed.”
Anderson University was the first training camp home for the Colts after the franchise moved to Indiana from Baltimore after the 1983 season. The camp, which is set to start Aug. 1 and wrap up Aug. 18, was located in Anderson from 1984 until 1998. Rose-Hulman served as the team’s training camp site for 11 years, from 1999 until last summer.
“We are very excited to welcome the Indianapolis Colts back to the campus,” Edwards said in the Colts press release. “We look forward to providing our AU hospitality and that of our entire community to the premier NFL franchise. Our sincere thanks to many persons in Anderson who worked to bring about this day.”
Anderson University undertook a major remodeling project that included the building of the Kardatzke Wellness Center and the addition of a Field Turf playing surface for the Ravens’ football stadium. A new lighting system was also installed at the stadium.
The 2010 training camp will be located around the Kardatzke Wellness Center/Macholtz Stadium complex located in the northeast section of the university campus. Fans will be able to access the camp via University Boulevard and 5th Street.
The club will announce its training camp practice schedule later this spring. Practices will be open to the public free of charge. Anderson University will charge a parking fee for camp visitors.
“Anderson is ecstatic to again serve as the host community of the Indianapolis Colts training camp,” Ockomon said. “We are proud to showcase Anderson University and its facilities to the Colts and their extensive following. Having these old friends and some new ones call Anderson home for several weeks this summer will be an exciting time for our entire community.”
The possibility that the Colts would opt to leave Rose-Hulman had been rumored for several weeks. After initially signing a multi-year contract with the school, Indianapolis had been working under one-year deals the last couple of summers.
Since moving training camp to Terre Haute, however, the team compiled a 128-48 record that included 10 winning seasons, seven division titles (one AFC East crown and six AFC South championships), three AFC championship game appearances (2003, 2006, 2009) and two trips to the Super Bowl (2006 and 2009). Indianapolis won Super Bowl XLI with a 29-17 decision over the Chicago Bears at Miami’s Dolphin Stadium.
Todd Golden contributed to this report.
